MONROE - The Monroe Common Council took steps Tuesday to improve its technology infrastructure.
The council voted unanimously to hire MSA Professional Services to implement a Utility GIS system, at a cost not to exceed $50,000, and voted unanimously to authorize proceeding with a proposal from Meridian IT for a voice and data technology system to replace its current telephone service, at a cost not to exceed $235,000.
Rob Jacobson, the city's information technology director, assured the Information Technology Committee Tuesday that the new communication system would work to resolve some re-occurring bandwidth problems and will cost less per month while providing more features.
"The doors are open" for integrating many of the city's current and anticipated technological systems with the new phone system, Jacobson said. The new communication system is coming two years ahead of the city's plans, he added.
"We did a lot of research to come up with a solution for the phone issue, security issues, bandwidth issues ... it's a better solution, besides the phone system," he said.
The system's high capacity switches will increase the city's ability to grow its database, including helping speed up the coming GIS data transfers, he added.
The Utility GIS system is intended to provide water utilities and city departments a better overall mapping of the city's physical infrastructures, by capturing and storing all types of geographical data. The information in the system becomes available for interdepartmental use.
Alan Eckstein, water utility director, said the mapping system can be used to manage and analyze information, such as about streets, the water and sewer systems and trees, and will be used primarily by the engineering, parks, and water departments.
About 1,200 manholes, 570 hydrants, 515 distribution valves, and 570 hydrant values, as well as more than 67 miles of water main and sewer mains, will be GPS located as part of the information inventoried.
The city could also use the GIS system to send bills or information to select areas and for capital planning, long-range planning and inventory, he added.
The GIS system will be available to city staff only.
No dates for starting or finishing the projects have been set.
The council voted unanimously to hire MSA Professional Services to implement a Utility GIS system, at a cost not to exceed $50,000, and voted unanimously to authorize proceeding with a proposal from Meridian IT for a voice and data technology system to replace its current telephone service, at a cost not to exceed $235,000.
Rob Jacobson, the city's information technology director, assured the Information Technology Committee Tuesday that the new communication system would work to resolve some re-occurring bandwidth problems and will cost less per month while providing more features.
"The doors are open" for integrating many of the city's current and anticipated technological systems with the new phone system, Jacobson said. The new communication system is coming two years ahead of the city's plans, he added.
"We did a lot of research to come up with a solution for the phone issue, security issues, bandwidth issues ... it's a better solution, besides the phone system," he said.
The system's high capacity switches will increase the city's ability to grow its database, including helping speed up the coming GIS data transfers, he added.
The Utility GIS system is intended to provide water utilities and city departments a better overall mapping of the city's physical infrastructures, by capturing and storing all types of geographical data. The information in the system becomes available for interdepartmental use.
Alan Eckstein, water utility director, said the mapping system can be used to manage and analyze information, such as about streets, the water and sewer systems and trees, and will be used primarily by the engineering, parks, and water departments.
About 1,200 manholes, 570 hydrants, 515 distribution valves, and 570 hydrant values, as well as more than 67 miles of water main and sewer mains, will be GPS located as part of the information inventoried.
The city could also use the GIS system to send bills or information to select areas and for capital planning, long-range planning and inventory, he added.
The GIS system will be available to city staff only.
No dates for starting or finishing the projects have been set.